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STATE PARK
beaufort county, n. c.
GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK MASTER PLAN
prepared by:
The State of North Carolina
Department of Natural and Economic Resources
Division of Parks and Recreation
The Master Planning Unit
February, 1976
GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK
MASTER PLAN
FOREWORD
The Master Plan for Goose Creek State Park is a guide for
the short and long term development and management of park
resources. The planning is aimed at achieving a variety and
balance of recreational and interpretive elements with respect
to parameters which establish an optimum in carrying capacity
and park protection. The unity of the physical plan at each
phase of development insures that the park will be an effi-
ciently operating whole during and after its implementation.
Additionally, it remains a flexible plan inasmuch as develop-
ment need not reach its final phase if follow-up analysis indi-
cates expansion is undesirable. Development of the master
plan is contingent upon the availability of funding and the
establishment of biennial statewide priorities.
This master plan study has been developed in depth and
reflects the high priority given to it as part of the planning
program. In keeping with the basis of this plan, decisions which
affect the welfare of Goose Creek State Park must reflect the
principles and spirit of the State Park system.
A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CULTURAL RESOURCES 2
Location, Population, and Access 3
History 3
Regional Recreation Needs 6
Adjacent Land Use and Development Context 9
Existing Conditions 11
NATURAL RESOURCES 14
Geology 15
Ground Water 17
Surface Water 19
Climate 19
Soils 21
Vegetation Communities and Associated Wildlife 23
SITE ANALYSIS 26
Physical Analysis 27
Perceptual Study 30
Program 31
Concept 33
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 34
Master Plan 35
Interpretive Development 38
Site Plans 41
1 . Park Office and Maintenance Area 41
Residences 41
Family Tent and Trailer Camping Area 41
Family Wilderness Camping 41
2. Interpretive Center 43
Group Activity Area 43
3. Family Day Use Area 45
4. Family Tent Camping Area 47
5. Dinah's Landing 49
Development Program 50
MANAGEMENT PLAN 52
Services to Park Users 53
Park Character 53
Phasing 54
Staffing 55
State Natural Area 56
Forest Restoration Area 56
Utilities 58
Land Acquisition 59
BIBLIOGRAPHY 62
■ * ' * *>
CULTURAL RESOURCES
LOCATION, POPULATION, AND ACCESS
A broad, slow-moving tributary of the Pamlico River, Little
Goose Creek is located in the eastern part of the State in Beau-
fort County. Lying nearly halfway between Washington and the
historic town of Bath, Goose Creek State Park is characterized
by a diversity of coastal plain or lowland habitat - in an essen-
tially rural setting.
Within a fifty mile radius, or one hour's drive from the park,
there are slightly fewer than 400,000 people residing, or about
7% of the statewide population, according to 1970 census data.
Beaufort County is one of the least populated counties in the
State, having a density of less than fifty people per square mile,
and population of nearly 36,000.
The park site is accessible by U.S. Highway 264 which runs in
an east-west direction, a secondary route to the coast, even-
tually joining U.S. Highway 64 west of Croatan Sound. U.S. 17, a
north-south highway, serves as a secondary collector dis-
tributing traffic to Highway 264 at Washington. Where Highway
264 passes by the site, its traffic volume is currently about 3,000
cars per day. Park traffic turns at the intersection of U.S. 264
and secondary road 1 334 and enters the site about two miles to
the south.
HISTORY
Though documented historical information for the park site
is rather sparse, it is known that prior to settlement by the white
man the area was occupied by the Tuscarora Indians. An Indian
village was located between Goose Creek and the town of Bath.
It is likely that many artifacts are present in the area.
On May 21, 1701, Captain Thomas Blount, exploring the
Pamlico region, landed near Ragged Point on the present park
site. Additionally, the famous explorer and surveyor-general of
North Carolina, John Lawson, may indeed have owned some
land now in Park ownership. Records in Bath indicate that he
owned large parcels of land in the vicinity of Goose Creek in the
early 1700's. The town of Bath, a State Historic Site, contains
abundant historic features including the homesite of the
notorious pirate, Blackbeard.
The more recent cultural past of the Goose Creek area is a
history of marginal agriculture and a livelihood related to the
fishing industry associated with the Pamlico River. An examina-
tion of the area exposes several old homesites and related
fields which have long since been abandoned and returned to
forest. Similarly, several sites along the edge of Goose Creek
and the Pamlico exhibit remains of old loading docks or piers
extending into the water, a reminder of a water-related industry
considerably more pervasive and important to the community
as a whole than it is today.
A long, raised mound can be found on the park site, evi-
dently an old railroad bed which extended into Upper Goose
Creek — a product of the logging operations during the early
1900's. Laborers of the Eureka Lumber Company are said to
have camped in the vicinity for many years.
The logging operation initiated by the Eureka firm was taken
over by the Weyerhaeuser Company which owned not only the
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STATE PARK beaufort county, n.c.
majority of land making up the current Park site but enormous
acreages around the Goose Creek area.
At the request of interested local citizens, the Division of
State Parks conducted several field trips along the Pamlico
River in the Spring, 1969, investigating potential State Park
sites. During June, 1970, the Goose Creek area was found to
possess the qualities necessary for a North Carolina State
Park. A proposal to establish a State park at Goose Creek was
made and on September 11, 1970, the Board of Conservation
and Development resolved to carry out a detailed site investi-
gation. During this period, it was learned that most of the
property in question belonged to the Weyerhaeuser Company.
Representatives from this company approached the Division in
the summer of 1971, and requested that a more comprehen-
sive study of the Pamlico region be carried out for the purpose
of investigating alternative State Park sites. Their contention
was that the Goose Creek area was one of their most valued
"banks" of timberland, which could be cut in wet seasons when
none of the other lands would permit logging operations.
The Division then engaged in an exhaustive study of both
sides of the Pamlico River over a period of several months. The
result of this investigation was to strengthen the original
findings — that the Goose Creek area was of primary value as a
State Park.
In May, 1972, Weyerhaeuser representatives met with the
Department of Natural and Economic Resources representa-
tives and members of the Board of Conservation and Develop-
ment. At this meeting, an abbreviated or revised plan was pre-
sented by Weyerhaeuser including 1200 acres within the
original proposed boundaries. On May 13, 1972, at the Conser-
vation and Development Board meeting in Washington, N. C,
this plan was approved.
As an indication of the support of the citizenry, a resolution
was adopted on October 18, 1972, by the Southern Albemarle
Association, recommending the establishment of Goose Creek
State Park. The Association, a body representing the people of
the six-county area surrounding the park site, addressed the
resolution to the Governor, Robert W. Scott.
On September 25, 1974, negotiations with Weyerhaeuser
were completed and Goose Creek State Park was officially
established. A total of 1208.60 acres had been acquired for the
park at a cost of $1,115,000.00 — the full market price of the
land having been reduced by $50,000.00 due to the reserva-
tion of mineral rights.
REGIONAL RECREATION NEEDS
Comprehensive recreation planning for the State of North
Carolina is the responsibility of the Division of Resource Plan-
ning and Evaluation, Department of Natural and Economic Re-
sources. The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
Plan, produced in 1975 and updated regularly, is an indicator of
regional recreation supply and demand.
According to the SCORP data, new recreation facilities utiliz-
ing the State's inland waters rank third among top priority
needs. Due to the expansion of private industry in water-related
development, use of these areas is becoming increasingly re-
stricted.
Recreational lands and facilities are analyzed according to a
classification system developed by the U.S. Department of In-
terior's Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. BOR Class III, Natural
Environment Areas, most closely approximates the type of
recreation facilities provided by State Parks. They are defined
as areas providing "weekend and vacation activities depen-
dent on a natural setting such as nature study, sightseeing,
hunting, and fishing, light facility development, access trails,
and campsites."
There presently exist slightly greater than 500,000 acres of
both public and private BOR Class III land in the coastal plain. It
must be recognized that a vast majority of this land is made up
of game lands managed by the Wildlife Resources Commis-
sion. The SCORP Study in 1970 indicated the need to acquire
223,000 acres of Class III land throughout the State. Addition-
ally, of the total money to be spent between 1970 and 1974,
34% was proposed for the coastal plain region.
While the SCORP findings and definitions provided by the
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation are intended to establish
general guidelines for state recreation facilities, the Division of
State Parks defined the purpose of its system in 1955:
TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND
THEIR VISITORS BY:
1. Preserving and protecting natural areas of unique or ex-
ceptional scenic value not only for the inspiration and be-
nefit of the present generation, but also for generations
to come.
2. Establishing and operating state parks that provide re-
creational use of natural resources and outdoor recrea-
tion in natural surroundings.
3. Portraying and interpreting plant and animal life, geo-
logy, and all other natural features and processes in-
cluded in the various state parks.
4. Preserving, protecting and portraying scientific sites of
statewide importance.
Within the fifty-mile radius of Goose Creek State Park, there
is one other State Park and several large forests and wildlife
areas. Pettigrew State Park is located northeast of Goose
Creek, about thirty-five miles as the crow flies. It presently con-
tains 769 acres, about 1,200 acres slated for future acquisition,
and had a visitation of 42,402 during 1 974. Pettigrew's prime at-
tractions are the Somerset Mansion managed by the Division of
Archives and History and excellent sport fishing found in Lake
Phelps.
South of Goose Creek is the Croatan National Forest which
contains over 100,000 acres and the Hofmann Forest, property
of North Carolina State University. The Hofmann Forest ad-
ministers 29,654 acres. East of Goose Creek is the Swanquar-
ter Wildlife Refuge, located at the confluence of the Pamlico
River and Sound, and the Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge which
includes all of Lake Mattamuskeet.
The need to establish a State Park in the Goose Creek area
was first identified in 1963 in a report entitled, "Planning for
State Parks and State Forests," in North Carolina. In this
document the Coastal Plains region was noted as fourth pri-
ority among needed State Park locations. The same document
recognized the shortfall in State Park acreage and recom-
mended meeting a standard of 20 acres per 1,000 population.
The national average for distribution of State Parks is 37 acres
per 1,000 population. Given the total proposed acreage for
Pettigrew State Park (1969 acres) and Goose Creek State Park
(1882 acres), a total of 3,851 acres of State Park land is slated
to serve the current population of 393,629. Such a ratio pro-
vides for 9.78 acres per 1,000 population within the fifty-mile
radius of Goose Creek — substantially less than the proposed
standard and severely short of the national average.
In Beaufort County there are twenty-eight recreation areas
which were inventoried by the Division of Resource Planning
and Evaluation, twenty-two of which are open to the public. Six
of these facilities are non-profit enterprises. By far, the most
popular activities provided for are boating and fishing — nearly
all of the facilities having boat ramps and fishing access.
At a public meeting held in Washington, N. C. on October 27,
1975, opinions of the citizenry regarding the scope of recrea-
tion facilities to be provided in the master plan for Goose Creek
were solicited. At this meeting, there was unanimous agree-
ment that the site should be maintained in its rough and essen-
tially wilderness condition with a special emphasis being
placed on the development of a program for nature interpreta-
tion. A system of nature trails, for family use as well as birding
enthusiasts, with observation points was of common interest.
Boating and fishing interests were well represented with con-
siderable agreement in the need for the provision of an addi-
tional boat launch, temporary mooring, and fishing piers.
Also of interest at the public meeting was the provision of ex-
panded picnicking and swimming facilities, particularly for
family use. There was, however, a division in ideas for the
scope of camping facilities to be provided. One group felt that
only tent camping, of a rough nature and accessible only by
trail, should be provided. Another group was not only
interested in provided tent and trailer camping, particularly
related to the Dinah's Landing boat launch, but also facilities
with both water and electric hookups.
Local residents were especially interested in the possibility of
incorporating limited hunting into a state park program on
special multi-use basis. Based on the fact that hunting in the
area has been a traditional activity, the apprehension on the
part of local residents represents a fear, c-ommon among
neighbors to State Parks, that hunting lands accessible to the
public will be eliminated with the establishment of a park. A
further investigation of this situation was stimulated at the
public meeting and carried out during the detailed study of the
recreation program.
The preservation of the rural character of the lands sur-
rounding the park was also of common interest among those
attending the meeting. There was agreement that county
zoning or other means of protection should be investigated to
control the proliferation of incompatible land uses in the area.
In particular, local residents were interested in ensuring the
preservation of neighborhoods near the Park, apprehensive of
an excessive increase in traffic generated by new development
in the park.
DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUME
12,000 cars/day
6,000 cars/day
■■■■i 2,000 cars/day
^asa^ Agricultural Land
I Weyerhaeuser Tree Nursery
m Planned Weyerhaeuser Subdivision
%Jl Private Recreation Areas
adjacent land use
and development context
STATE PARK bwulort county, n.c.
ADJACENT LAND USE
AND DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
The Goose Creek and Mallard Creek watersheds establish a
range for studying the relationship of land uses adjacent to the
Park and changing land use patterns. The watershed is an
appropriate framework since it is within these boundaries that
direct influences — both physical and aesthetic — can most
effectively be measured.
The landscape of this region is dominated by agricultural
uses and related development. Roads in the area are long,
straight and dotted with dwellings. Sometimes clustered in
association with a church or community store at a crossroads
or, more frequently, isolated and bearing a more direct rela-
tionship with farm land, the houses are primarily two-story
frame structures. Also pervasive in the area are large planta-
tions, predominately Loblolly Pine forest established by timber
companies for commercial purposes.
Due to the low and frequently boggy nature of the area, a
great deal of land lies vacant, having little or no potential for
either agricultural or forestry purposes, these lands have little
or no economic value at present and therefore are largely ig-
nored.
The Pamlico River has always maintained an important role
in the development of the region. Although its importance as a
primary means of subsistence for local residents has dropped,
commercial fishing, on a larger scale, has increased. Sport
fishing on the Pamlico and its tributaries remains a primary re-
creational activity. Numerous public and private boat launches
and fishing access areas have been established along the
Pamlico. Dinah's Landing, located within the park boundary, is
a popular launch which has historically been accessible to the
public and essentially uncontrolled.
Increasing in its impact on the region is water-related vaca-
tion, or second-home, development. Corresponding to in-
creased demand for leisure facilities is an increase in values for
shoreline properties. The Washington Yacht and Country Club,
located on Broad Creek, is an established private facility having
a large residential area associated with it.
Development of this nature is beginning to occur at two
scales. In several isolated locations, such as the one at Duck
Creek east of the Park, small parcels have been subdivided
and are promoted for second-home development. In these
situations, the land owner and developer are frequently one
and the same, and home sites are a quarter to one-half acre in
size. At the other end of the scale, large companies who have a
secondary interest in land speculation are also recognizing the
potential of the Pamlico for vacation development. A subdivi-
sion plan was prepared in June, 1970, for Quadrant Division,
Westminster Corporation, a Weyerhaeuser Company sub-
sidary, by the engineering firm of Rose and Purcell. The pro-
posed site was a large area immediately west of the park
boundary, between Goose Creek and Broad Creek on Weyer-
haeuser-owned property. This subdivision plan indicates the
development of 351 dwelling sites, a quarter-acre and larger in
size, and substantial recreation facilities including clubhouse,
swimming pool, and marina. The plan suggests major land for-
ming operations including extensive dredging, filling, channel
development, and road building. The implications of this pro-
posal and its potential impact on the waterways shared by the
Park are great. Although the most crucial shoreline property
fronting onto Goose Creek was acquired from Weyerhaeuser in
the Division's original negotiations, this type of development
nevertheless would have significant physical impact on Park
property.
The development impact of residential subdivisions in the
watershed has, to date, been minimal. The point, however, is
that the demand for this type of development will no doubt in-
crease in the future. Accordingly, the prospect is one of signifi-
cant landscape change from a quiet, rural countryside — sim-
ple and attractive in character — to one which is considerably
more complex and demanding in services. The suggestion is
not that these changes be altogether avoided or negatively con-
trolled, but rather that given a greater land use complexity,
changes must be conscientiously incorporated into the existing
landscape.
At a general level, planning measures which should be ad-
dressed at the county level include the following points:
1- Access control measures need to be established along
U.S. Highway 264 and, related to the Park in particular, State
Roads 1334 and 1331. The intent in this situation is to isolate
those areas unsuitable for development for health or other
environmental reasons, and to limit their development access.
2- Lowland areas, inland waters and shoreline need to be
designated as protection areas and managed as such. Inas-
much as all waters contained within the Goose Creek/Mallard
Creek watershed bear a direct relationship to the Park develop-
ment, activities associated with the waterways may have a
direct influence on the welfare of the Park.
3- Safeguards should be sought which restrict remaining
large stands of mature forest from clearcutting. Development
plans should be encouraged which are geared to incorpor-
ating development campatibly into these areas. Similarly, areas
known to harbor important game habitat should be safe-
guarded.
4- Zoning and other regulations should be adopted which
restrict development densities and establish minimum set-
back or buffer zones. They may also be intended to establish
continuity in the architectural design or appearance of struc-
tures.
10
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Most significant among existing cultural conditions is the im-
pact made by Weyerhaeuser Company prior to the establish-
ment of the Park. The present road system on the site was de-
veloped during its logging operation, the alteration of the
drainage system being effected, though the extent of these
changes is not fully understood. Quite obvious, however, is the
forest clearcut which occurred within the past four years.
Approximately half of the upland forest on the site, about 228
acres, was cut. Aside from the damage incurred by the clear-
cut is a road system which affords good penetration to much of
the site.
Within the interior of the park are two 19th century grave-
yards — both containing hand-carved head markers. One of
these cemeteries is located adjacent to an old homesite nearby
the present day use area. Another cemetary is located near the
remaining railroad bed of the Eureka Lumber Company and, in
fact, may be related to it.
Immediately adjacent to the Park's western boundary is the
Weyerhaueser Tree Nursery. The tree nursery and its related
operations represent a potential feature for interpretation, ad-
junct to the Park's program. The Weyerhaueser operation does
not represent a threat to the park unless the related waterways
are damaged in the course of its operations. Noise emanating
from the Weyerhaeuser operation is tolerable, sufficiently buf-
fered by thick vegetation along the Park's boundaries.
Camp Leach, an Episcopal Church camp, is the Park's
neighbor on its east side along with Weyerhaeuser. The
primary land owner, however, is Weyerhaeuser. The potential
impact of its operation on the Mallard Creek waterway should
be monitored, as with Goose Creek.
Since the Spring of 1974, a park ranger has been stationed at
Goose Creek and a number of interim use facilities have been
provided. A trail has been established at the end of the park
road which leads to the existing day use area — a clearing on
I* fr
11
DogooDd
f\ Existing Features
Picnic Area-
Day Use Area
existing conditions
STATE PARK b.iufort county, n.c.
12
the shore of the River having several picnic tables with grills
and trash receptacles. It is a scenic spot from which many fine
views of the river and shoreline can be observed. Visitors pre-
sently take advantage of this open shore for wading.
At the end of the existing spur road, campers may park and
hike a short distance to one of six tent camping sites. Presently,
due to the limited use that this area is receiving, campers are
allowed to drive to the site to unload their equipment provided
they park at the designated parking area. This area, too, is very
scenic and suited to this rough style of camping. Two pit toilets
are currently under construction in this area.
Dinah's Landing, on the west side of Goose Creek, has long
been a public access area to both commercial and sport fisher-
men. Its use is currently uncontrolled, being used during peak
periods between the hours of 4:00 a.m., and 11:00 p.m. On a
Wednesday morning during October while the park study was
being conducted, twenty-six cars and boat trailers were obser-
ved in the area that has been cleared for parking. It was a heavy
use time since the speckled trout were in season. Presently,
one boat launch exists, having been constructed by local resi-
dents. Boats ordinarily do not exceed about 22 feet in length.
Two short piers, both in need of repair are also used at the
landing, and several picnic tables have been provided. Presen-
tly no toilet facilities exist at Dinah's Landing, although water is
available.
A small trailer which will serve as temporary park office has
recently been located in the upper part of the site adjacent to
the main park road. While there is a gate located at the present
entrance controlling access into the park, a park sign has not
been provided. It is felt that until additional improvements can
be made in the park, it is unwise to encourage use. Addition-
ally, as the entrance road now being used is actually a private
drive, heavy traffic is undesirable until a permanent road can
be established.
13
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TURAL RESO
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GEOLOGY
Beaufort County is entirely mantled by surficial sands and
clays which are rarely more than 30 feet thick and in many
places less than 10 feet thick. Underlying the surficial deposits
are beds of blue clay, marl, shells, and impure shell limestone
that constitute the Yorktown formation. This formation ranges
in thickness from about 40 feet in the extreme western part of
the county to as much as 200 feet in the extreme eastern part of
the county.
In the central and eastern parts of the county the Yorktown
formation is underlain by layers of phosphatic sand that are
separated by one or more hardened shell beds, which range
from a few feet to more than 90 feet in thickness. Individual
beds of phosphatic sand are as much as 20 feet thick.
Underlying these deposits are shell limestones and inter-
layed lime containing sands of the Castle Hayne limestone for-
mation which is about 60 feet thick near the western border of
the county and perhaps as much as 250 feet thick along the
eastern border. The Beaufort formation, composed of sand
containing clay and various silicates and marl, underlies the
Castle Hayne limestone throughout most of the county. Little
data is available concerning the thickness of the Beaufort for-
mation, although it is known that the formation thickens rapidly
and is buried progressively deeper toward the east.
Underlying the Beaufort formation are glauconitic sands and
clays containing mica silicates of the Peedee formation for
which no data on total thickness in Beaufort County are avail-
able. Beneath the Peedee formation are older sediments that
are believed to contain saline waters.
15
Beaufort County
water-bearing strata —
major water sources
Geology and Ground Water
200
surficial sands
and clays
Yorktown
formation
# phosphatic sands
90 separated by
shell beds
25Q* Castle Hayne
limestone
Beaufort
formation
Peedee
formation
16
GROUND WATER
With the exception of the supply for the town of Washington,
all public and private water supplies in Beaufort County are ob-
tained from wells. The Yorktown formation furnishes water to
shallow wells that extend to a depth of 30 feet, and will yield 2 to
30 gpm. Such wells are commonplace throughout the entire
county.
In the central and eastern parts of the county, drilled wells
obtain water from sands and shell beds in the Yorktown forma-
tion and from shell limestones and sands in the underlying Cas-
tle Hayne limestone. These wells range in depth from 100 to
300 feet and yield as much as 300 gpm. Several wells in central
Beaufort County obtain water from the Beaufort formation.
However, this acquifer is seldom utilized in the eastern and
central sections of the county because of the abundance of
water in overlying aquifers. Water below a depth of 30-50 feet in
this area is under artesian pressure and flowing wells are very
common.
In western Beaufort County, water is obtained from the Cas-
tle Hayne limestone, the Beaufort formation, and less com-
monly from the Peedee formation. Where large quantities of
water are desired, wells must be of large diameter, if tapping
the Castle Hayne limestone, or must tap the Beaufort and
Peedee formations. Yields of several hundred gallons per
minute may be expected from deep wells in this area.
The chemical quality of ground water in Beaufort County is
not uniform. Water from the surficial sands contains objection-
able iron and is generally corrosive. Water from the shell beds
and impure limestone layers of the Yorktown formation is mod-
erately hard. Water from the shell limestone layers and cal-
careous sand layers of the Castle Hayne limestone is mod-
erately hard to very hard and may contain objectionable
amount of hydrogen sulfide, particularly in the eastern sec-
tions of the county. Most of the water from the Beaufort and
Peedee formations is soft, but may be hard if the water is
emanating from calcareous strata.
Large supplies of ground water are available throughout the
county from all aquifers, although no information is available
concerning exact amounts. However, current and previous
measurements of ground-water levels suggest that, in most
places, only a very small part of the available ground-water
supply is being utilized.
17
surface water
T
baaufort county, n. c.
Marshes
Drainage Pattern
"C" Classification
"8C" Classification
"SB" Classification
18
SURFACE WATER
Surface water includes all streams, creeks, and rivers, as
well as all lakes and ponds, both man-made and natural. The
surface water around Goose Creek State Park is dominated by
the Pamlico River, which forms the entire southern boundary of
the park. The other major surface water features in direct rela-
tionship to the park are Little Goose Creek and Mallard Creek,
which are at the western and eastern ends of the site, respec-
tively. A large percentage of the land is low, wet, and is covered
by standing water much of the year.
The Pamlico River and west of its tributaries have been
studied and water quality classifications have been shown; the
"S" prefix denotes tidal salt water. The "SB" classification is
water that is suitable for all uses up to and including bathing,
while the "C" and "SC" classes are suitable for the same uses
up to but not including bathing. Other uses which are unsuit-
able for these classifications include drinking, cooking, food
processing, and shell fishing.
Generally, the Pamlico River water at the Park is suitable for
all recreational uses, including bathing, fishing, and boating.
The waters of Little Goose Creek, according to the classifica-
tion system, are suitable for all the same recreational uses, but
do not include bathing. The Little Goose Creek watershed
covers just under 12,000 acres, and the lowest water quality
classification in the entire watershed is "C."
Overall, the water quality in the Goose Creek State Park
vicinity is fairly good allowing a majority of the desired uses.
However, every effort should be made to upgrade the existing
water quality as much as possible, not allowing any uses within
the watershed which will degrade the water quality below that
now existing, and requiring any new water users to replace
used water at least of as high quality as the water used.
CLIMATE
Goose Creek State Park is in the middle of the Coastal Plain
region of North Carolina, and the most representative weather
information available for the immediate vicinity is from the U.S.
Department of Commerce Bureau at Greenville. Since Green-
ville is less than thirty miles from the State Park site, the
climatic information for the two will be similar.
During an average winter, the temperature drops to 15 or 20
degrees two or three times, only rarely going lower. The coldest
weather is usually experienced in January, with December and
February being almost as cold. The summers, on the other
hand, are usually quite warm, but extremely hot weather is rare.
The highest temperatures are generally recorded in July, with
August and June being very warm. The average annual mean
temperature for the area is 61.8°F.
The amount of yearly precipitation is favorable, particularly
during the growing season, and averages out at 48.05". The
heaviest rainfall occurs between June and September, and is
normally the result of thunderstorms. The lightest rainfall is
usually during the month of October. Most of the winter preci-
pitation is rainfall, normally caused by moving low-pressure
storms, but snow is not an unusual occurence. Over an entire
winter, only 4 or 5 inches of snow will fall, with a snow of more
than one inch falling, on an average, only once each winter.
The prevailing winds are from the northeast during the
autumn months, and from the southwest the rest of the year.
The average wind speed near the surface of the earth is 8 or 9
miles per hour. The relative humidity averages around 72 per-
cent, but is highest during the late summer and lowest in late
winter and early spring.
19
)<s\®m
Conetoe
Tarboro and Pactolus
Rutlege
Johnston and Capers
soils study
I mWMK
STATE PARK buuloil county, n.e.
20
SOILS
Common to the Atlantic coastal plain and primarily of marine
origin, the soils found in the Goose Creek area have been
classified into six series identified by the Soil Conservation Ser-
vice. The Conetoe, Tarboro, Pactolus, and Rutledge types differ
slightly in composition, all having loamy sand surface layers at
varying depths. Their particular limitations are defined primar-
ily by their specific setting and related drainage. Conetoe, Tar-
boro, and Pactolus, for example, are all classified as upland
soils which are fairly deep and have moderately rapid to rapid
permeability. Rutledge, however, is most commonly found in
shallow depressions, sometimes called bays or sinks, very
poorly drained.
The Johnston soils are found in the floodplains along
streams or in depressions and is composed of a mucky loam
surface and an undefined mixed textured subsoil. As one would
expect, the Johnston soils are characterized by slow water
runoff, and very poor drainage.
The most pervasive lowland soil type at Goose Creek is the
Capers, located on the broad level tidal flats, or marshlands,
and along the lower reaches of larger streams flowing into the
tidal flats. The surface layer of Capers soils is usually clay loam,
but in some places the surface material may be muck or peat.
The water table ranges from twelve inches above the surface
during spring tides to twelve inches below the surface. Capers
soils are subject to frequent flooding and wetness over long
duration.
The ability of a soil to absorb different types of development
is based primarily on its texture and drainage. Its setting
broadly differentiates these characteristics. The upland soils
(Conetoe, Tarboro, and Pactolus) are all better suited for deve-
lopment than the lowland soil (Rutledge, Johnston, and
Capers). A seasonably high water table or, otherwise, a sus-
ceptibility to flooding is the primary characteristic making this
differentiation. More specifically, however the soils' matrix is an
indicator of a soil type's suitability for containing buildings and
septic systems, roads, camp sites and picnic areas. This matrix
may be found in Appendix A.
21
E53 Brackish Marsh
I Evergreen Shrub Thicket
Swamp Forest
I I Mature Loblolly Pine
Wj£M Clear-cut Regeneration
^H Young Pine
I I Cultivated-Open
*\M**
vegetation study
STATE PARK b««utort county, n. c.
22
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND ASSOCIATED
WILDLIFE
Brackish Marshlands
These marshes occupy many of the low flat areas adjacent to
the creeks and the Pamlico River. Trees are very scarce in
brackish marshes, because the ground is waterlogged by
slightly salty water most of the time. Many dead trees may be
seen scattered over the marsh, serving as roosting places for
everything from tree swallows to ospreys. Although no osprey
nests were found inside the existing park boundaries, several
were located nearby.
Among the woody plants most successful in this habitat are
such evergreen shrubs as wax myrtle, red bay, and groundsel-
tree, and such small trees as loblolly-bay, red cedar, and bald
cypress. Most of the dominant species of this community are
not trees or shrubs, but large grasses or relatives of the
grasses. Probably the most characteristic plant of the brackish
marshes in the area is wild rice, a plant reaching 8 feet in height
and bearing large edible grains that are among the favorite
foods of waterfowl and many other birds. Large solid stands of
this grass occupy the wetter areas of the marsh.
Saw-Grass is highly characteristic of the slightly drier marsh
areas, as are other tall sedges. Cattails are not too common,
probably due to occasional heavy influxes of salt water in the
area during storms. The narrow-leaved cattail seems to be the
most common species present.
Many attractive wildflowers, some of them found only in this
specific habitat, fringe the waterways. In the early morning
hours the pink blossoms of the seashore mallow are visible, but
by midmorning the blossoms are all closed. Other late summer
flowers of a very showy nature include the rose mallow, a large
purple species of morning glory, climbing hempweed, cardinal
flower, and, in fairly fresh water, swamp sneezeweed and joe-
pye-weed.
Pickerelweed grows in fairly deep water, along with many
other aquatic plants including hornwort and parrot-feather.
Black needlerush is common on the exposed points along the
waterways.
These marshes, which are one of the most scenic aspects of
the Goose Creek area, are also a source of food and shelter for
many interesting types of wildlife, including many species of
herons and waterfowl. Although most of the latter are absent
during the summer months, large numbers of wood ducks fre-
quent the area year round. Red-winged blackbirds, white-eyed
vireos, and many other swamp-loving songbirds utilize such
areas for nesting.
The marshes are also good habitat for mink, muskrat, and
otter, which feed on the wide variety of fishes present in the
creeks and backwaters. Sampling by the Wildlife Resources
Commission showed excellent populations of largemouth bass,
bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch, and yellow perch which
should provide exceptionally good fishing.
Evergreen Shrub Thickets
The evergreen shrub thickets comprise a large portion of the
low, boggy areas of the park. The great variety of shrubs and
small trees in these thickets supply food and shelter for many
types of wildlife, one of the best known of which is the cotton-
mouth or water moccasin. Deer tracks and browse evidence
may be seen throughout these areas, along with the tracks of
bobcats and foxes. If there are any bear residing in the Goose
Creek area at this time, the thickets would be their preferred
hiding places. Songbirds of many types utilize these thickets for
nesting and feeding, the Maryland yellowthroat, Carolina wren,
and brown thrasher being among the most common. In the wet-
ter thickets, the cottontail rabbit gives way to the less familiar
marsh rabbit.
The variety of shrub species found in this habitat is great, but
those that succeed in forming a canopy or overstory are less
numerous, however. The loblolly bay is perhaps foremost in
23
this respect, often reaching a respectable 14" or more in dia-
meter and attaining a height in excess of 40'. Black and tupelo
gums are scattered through the shrub thickets, as are the sweet
gum and bald cypress.
Of the many species forming the thick understory, none are
as numerous as the wax myrtle. The gallberries, groundsel tree,
red bay and the sparkleberry combine with many other species
to form a dense tangle which is made worse by the presence of
bamboo-briers and other greenbriers.
Despite the density of woody plants in the thickets, a diverse
herbaceous flora is also present. Arrowheads and marsh
pennywort are present in the bog along with such attractive
ferns as the Virginia chainfern, royal fern, marsh fern, and cin-
namon fern.
Swamp Forests
The swamp forests may be found in the interior low-lands of
the Goose Creek area, as well as along the upper stretches of
the creeks, wherever the water is fresh. Good stands of
Cypress are found on Little Goose Creek and in the head-
waters of Mallard Creek. In the latter area there are a few of the
less common pond cypress, but the bald cypress is far more
widespread. The tupelo, sweet gum, and red maple share the
swamp edges with the cypresses. Tree-sized loblolly bays and
shrubby black willows are particularly common in those interior
swamps that appear to have been logged the most recently.
Wood ducks, green herons, and red-shouldered hawks
utilize the swamp forest for nesting purposes, as do many
songbirds. In addition to the more typical woodpeckers, the
pileated and red-headed woodpeckers frequent this habitat in
large numbers.
The waters around the swamp forests provide good fishing,
the species caught including largemouth bass, bluegill and
perch. These waters are also the chosen habitats of such rep-
tiles as the snapping turtle and the eastern cottonmouth. These
forests also provide cover for raccoon and opossum, along with
the deer which are present in practically every forest commun-
ity.
Mature Pine Forests
The mature pines cover all the upland regions of the park
that have not been recently disturbed by man. The loblolly
pines of this area are truly impressive, being uniformly tall (100'
of more), straight, well-spaced, and on the average about 2Vz in
diameter at breast height. The majestic nature of this forest is
greatly heightened by the presence of great quantities of
Spanish moss. Although generally more characteristic of
swamp forests, in the Goose Creek area the air is apparently
damp enough and the winds moderate enough that Spanish
moss is at least as common among the Pines as among the
cypresses.
Although pines dominate the area's uplands, many hard-
woods are thriving in the semi-shade. Live oaks, water oaks,
white oaks, southern red oaks, mockernut hickories, sweet
gums, and other typical climax forest trees form a second
canopy about 30-50' off the ground. Unless succession is inter-
rupted, these trees will undoubtedly one day replace the pines.
Beneath this double canopy thrive many of the more shade-
tolerant evergreen shrubs, especially red bay and wax myrtle.
Such herbaceous plants as bracken fern, pipsissewa, and a
host of species associated with old Pine and young hardwood
forests form yet a fourth layer of greenery in the mature pine
forests. Such diversity could not exist if the pine forests had a
less open character. This is further evidenced by the fact that at
least a half dozen species of the sun-loving blueberries and
huckleberries are common on the forest floor. Particularly
24
attractive shrubs in the understory include the purple-fruited
beautyberry, the sweet pepper bush, and a shrubby form of the
flowering dogwood.
The wildlife in this forest type are typical of that found in most
eastern North Carolina pine forests, and includes, for example,
numerous deer, the great horned and screech owls, and large
numbers of insects and treefrogs. Many birds typical of coastal
forests are present in the pines, including the parula warbler,
pine warbler, and Acadian flycatcher, along with the brown-
headed nuthatch and the Carolina wren.
Perhaps the best known inhabitant of the older pine stands is
the red-cockaded woodpecker, a species included in the "Pre-
liminary List of Endangered Plant and Animal Species in North
Carolina" and the "United States List of Endangered Species."
The endangered status of the woodpecker can be attributed to
two major factors: the harvest of mature pine trees, with current
emphasis on short rotation; and the requirement for mature,
living pines for construction of nesting and roosting cavities.
The Park has, as of last count, three existing colonies of the
redcockaded, and a management plan for protection and pre-
servation of the species is being developed, and will include
locating and marking all existing cavity trees, establishing a
boundary around these trees in which the habitat require-
ments of the birds will be provided, and ensuring that pines of
sufficient size, age, etc. are preserved within the park for pos-
sible future use by the birds.
A substantial amount of land close to the park land is curren-
tly covered in another forest type composed of stands of pine.
This forest community is composed of stands that are very
young and dense, a majority of them probably no older than 15
or 20 years, and commonly called "pine plantations". This
young pine forest is not as productive for wildlife as other
natural communties, due to the smaller number of food-
supplying plants. However, its dense crown growth provides
good nesting and roosting habitats for owls, gray squirrels, and
many small birds.
One other natural vegetation type bears mentioning.
Although Cane is present in many of the habitats in the Park, a
narrow belt of cane thicket, or canebrake, may be observed
along much of the contact line between the pine forest and the
evergreen shrub thickets. This is an interesting habitat with
many plant species and birds. It is also an extremely fire-prone
habitat during dry weather, due to the dry nature of the cane it-
self. This is the preferred habitat for a snake which gets its
name from the cane, the canebrake rattlesnake. It is joined in
the surrounding forest by another species, the pygmy rattle-
snake.
Clear-cut Regeneration Areas
These broad, open expanses are in most places about waste
deep in young loblolly pines, live oaks, turkey oaks, red
maples, and a hodgepodge of other young trees. The persim-
mon thrives in such environments. Many common roadside
weeds and evergreen shrubs are sharing these areas, with
broomsedge probably being the single most numerous plant
species in the community.
Although such areas are generally not desired in a state
park, the abundance of available foods make them popular
places with the animals. Rabbits, quail, and deer are thriving,
and the local red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks work the
fields in search of mice. Songbirds such as the brown thrasher,
towhee, and parula, pine and hooded warblers are numerous in
the regeneration areas during the warmer months.
25
•TJo, -.
iy«
*&
•-awii;
• ?t»*
.
**
7
* v
PHYSICAL ANALYSIS
The primary physical criteria affecting planning decisions are
drawn from a composite of natural resource limitations and ex-
isting cultural conditions. This method of site analysis is used to
determine priorities for development or preservation and to
establish site-specific management criteria.
Of primary importance is the distinction of areas on the basis
of development suitability. A classification of "unsuitable" is
determined in terms of areas requiring protection for the pre-
servation of certain wildlife habitats as well as areas in which
feasibility of development is questionable due to physical limi-
tations. Such limiting physical conditions include the prolifera-
tion of lowland soil types, related vegetation, and surface water.
Likewise, the protection of the lowland swamp forests, shrub
thickets, and marshes is critical.
An important constraint to the park's planning is the existing
road system on the site. The penetration of the site by roads
determines, in conjunction with those land areas suitable for
development, general site location criteria. Certainly, the posi-
bility of constructing new roads is not negated, however, the
utilization of existing road corridors is not only practical, it also
carries substantially less physical impact than new road con-
struction.
Where existing facilities or uses have been established, a
further constraint is apparent. Depending on the scope of ex-
isting development, the constraint may be imposing not only
physically but also in terms of the park's organization and
program. Dinah's landing, for example, has been a boating and
fishing access area historically and though other sites may be
available for the same purpose, the precedent of changing its
use would not be appropriate or practical.
The "interest areas" pinpointed in the site analysis indicate
the location of general sites which should be protected and
have potential for the park's interpretive program. The water-
ways of Goose Creek and Mallard Creek are excellent sites to
observe the transition zones from upland mixed hardwood and
pine forest to swamp forest, to marshland. The area including
Flatty's Creek also harbors a diversity of plant associations and
a varied shoreline. A small hillock lies adjacent to the Goose
Creek shore and, in comparison to the rest of the site, is an in-
teresting topographic feature. Also included in this area is a
sizable colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers. Seven cavity
trees were found in this area — in the mature pine forest and on
the edges of the swamp forest.
Ragged Point is a small protrusion of land — a headland —
along the Pamlico Shore, barren and exposed to the coastal
storms. Certainly the area is of interest due to its isolation, how-
ever, an abundance of animal and plant life can be found.
Access is limited to approaches from the river by boat and,
otherwise, a rather difficult hike along the shore from the day
27
DdgJdODd
Existing Activity Area
'-_-' Existing Campsite
Marsh-Protection Area
™|B? Area Unsuitable for Development
%*)£ Interest Area
* Woodpecker Cavity Trees
'<''" Recent Clearcut
site analysis
STATE PARK bsaufort county, n.e.
28
use area. A small ridge, similar to a coastal dune situation, runs
the entire length of Ragged Point, and separates a narrow
beach from the marshlands behind the ridge. The main-
tenance of the ridge and its vegetation is essential to the stabi-
lity of the system as a whole. Its isolation should be preserved
for this purpose and because it is an excellent spot for wildlife
observation. Trails that are developed in the area should be on
boardwalks not only in the marshes where access would other-
wise be impossible but also in the areas where a lesser control
on pedestrian movement might well result in increased erosion
and soil compaction.
While the clearcut areas of the park's interior are undoubt-
edly an otherwise undesirable feature of the park, they have in-
creased the availability of food for certain game species. The
majority of this land should be managed for forest restoration,
with the program aimed at returning the area to its "original"
long leaf pine forest. Because these areas have been disturbed
in the past, sites for new construction such as major buildings
and parking lots are readily available. Although the clearcuts
are as inhospitable environments as, say, the marshes they will
nevertheless offer a varied component to the park's interpre-
tive program.
water
t T tuf tjf
4 — t — + — + \ — +
shore marsh shrub mature clearcut
shore
ridge
shrub
thicket
mature
pine
swamp
+
mature
pine
transition zones
edges
29
PERCEPTUAL STUDY
While natural landscape units may be defined in terms of
prevailing land forms, vegetation and soils, and game habitat,
landscape edges — the transition between distinct units — are
most important in terms of what one sees. The character of a
waterway is most distinct in its relation to its adjacent land form.
Similarly, topographic change is perceived not by the eleva-
tion difference in itself but by its relationship to adjoining land
forms. Landscape edges may be distinct or gradual depending
on the interrelationship of topography, water, and related vege-
tation. The more distinct edges will be found where the junc-
ture of topography and water is abrupt and where topographic
changes are more pronounced.
It follows that the visual appearance of the Goose Creek
area, essentially flat, is defined primarily at the juncture of the
waterways and land forms and the juncture of the different
plant associations. It is at these transition zones that variations
in the park's landscape is most strongly observed. The
maintenance of these edges is most important in preserving the
park's visual appearance. New construction for buildings or
trail boardwalks should be designed so that edge conditions
are not obscured or fragmented.
The location of some park facilities and especially interpre-
tive trails are determined, in part, by perceptual criteria. The
best views on the site are those related to the water, particular-
ly along the shoreline or to a near but opposite shore. These
views are best if the alignment of the opposite shore is irregu-
lar. Interpretive trails are designed for both long and short dis-
tance hikes but, in both cases, are intended to provide as
diverse an array of landscape units as possible. On the half-
mile loop trails it is important that this diversity is contained
within a relatively small area. The isolation of different edge
situations in close proximity together helps to determine good
locations for these trails and wildlife observation points.
df«t*Cw;H" #ifcf4
ajnTh, ■ J-
PINE
FOREST
SHRUi
THICKET
4\c+6va\ «4ei£
-t-rarvi-ffcn ?>ot\c
30
PROGRAM
The program governing the use of Goose Creek State Park is
based on the principles of the State Park System. The essence
of these principles is the protection of unique natural features
and the establishment of a program which will provide inter-
pretation of the resource and complimentary recreation facili-
ties.
At Goose Creek, there is one large area which contains every
natural vegetational community and habitat typical of the sur-
rounding area. This tract of land is approximately 375 acres in
size and qualifies for inclusion in the State Natural Area
program. The unique natural features surrounding Flatty's
Creek and its marsh should be preserved; designation of this
water and land as a State Natural Area would insure this pre-
servation for future generations.
This is not the only feature of the park which deserves pro-
tection, however. Goose Creek State Park is possibly one of the
best red-cockaded woodpecker habitats in North Carolina.
This species of threatened wildlife deserves every action pos-
sible toward its preservation and enhancement, more than
likely through guidelines similar to those which are being
followed by the U.S. Forest Service.
The recreation program for the Park is based largely on pre-
servation and protection of these natural features through
interpretation of the resources. The amount of natural site in-
formation needs a well-developed educational process to ex-
plain the complexity of the environment. Toward this end, the
program should contain a comprehensive interpretive program
containing a network of trails throughout the Park.
Complementary recreation facilities such as hiking, camp-
ing, boating, picnicking and swimming, will have to be deve-
loped with a strong emphasis on protection of the natural
resources of the Park. Facilities will not be provided without
first considering their impact on the vegetational communities
and their faunal inhabitants, and in those areas which are ex-
tremely fragile, the natural feature will be the controlling factor
over type, amount and density of use.
Carrying Capacities
The specific carrying capacities of the various types of
recreation facilities have been adopted from several sources
including the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Those recom-
mendations have been re-evaluated in order to fulfill the objec-
tives stated in the program study. A breakdown of the capacity
figures applying to Goose Creek State Park follows:
Shoreline Swimming
700 feet of developed beach
4 people / 10 linear feet = 280 people
turnover rate 2 = 560 swimmers / day
1 bathhouse
Picnicking
family
V2 of picnickers are swimmers =1120 picnickers / day
4 people / table
turnover rate 2
140 tables @ 6 tables / acre = 24 acres
group
units (2) 60 person units
120 person maximum — 30 tables
turnover rate 1
(2) 150 person units
300 people maximum
2 1650 sq. ft. shelters (1 per unit)
31
Camping
wilderness camping
1 area — 8 sites — 8 acres
4 people / site
32 people maximum
tent camping
1 area — 24 sites — 24 acres
4 people / site
96 people maximum
tent and trailer camping
2 areas — 70 sites total — 20 acres
2 washhouses (1 per area)
4 people / site
280 people maximum
32
hiking
trail
CONCEPT
The concept for the Park's development recognizes that,
over the long term, public education about State Park princi-
ples and natural conditions in the park will be very desirable.
This education process will begin at the Interpretive Center and
will be expanded by the development of hiking/interpretive
trails throughout the Park. The most significant points along
these trails will be provided with an interpretive shelter, which
will serve as an information dispenser and rest station.
The family day activities will be removed from the other day
activities such as the group activity areas. This includes provi-
sion of a managed swimming beach in the family day use area
for family use only; groups will be required to provide their own
lifeguards and then swim in an area removed from the other
swimmers.
Camping opportunities will be provided in a variety which will
allow an individual to choose the camping type he desires. Tent
camping, which requires over a one-mile hike, will be provided
along with drive-in tent and trailer camping in two different lo-
cations, one on the main park land and the other at Dinah's
Landing.
Dinah's Landing would also be the logical site for continua-
tion of boat-oriented activities, since they are occurring there at
this time. Any boat-oriented activities, such as pleasure boating
and fishing, and secondary recreation, such as picnicking,
dock-fishing, and camping by fishermen, would also occur
close to the landing.
nterpretive
shelter
conceptual
relationships of
park activities
*
R
M
Interpretive Center
Personnel Residences
Maintenance Area
33
■> *
■*£
TV
./
DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSALS
-««•».* ^^*L|
-
*« « *
-* *
, <*' •
MASTER PLAN
The Goose Creek State Park Master Plan is directed at satis-
fying two primary objectives — preserving and protecting the
Park's unique natural condition and character, and esta-
blishing a recreation program which will provide an oppor-
tunity for public enjoyment of the Park's assets and wilderness
condition. In developing such a plan, it is most important that
the need to establish recreation facilities does not supercede
the need to insure the integrity of the site. This can be done by
conducting the implementation of the plan in phases,
evaluating the impact of preceding phases prior to further
development. More effective, however, is the limitation during
the planning stages of the size and location of facilities in the
proposed plan.
The Master Plan can be broken into six main use areas —
administrative, interpretive, family day use, family overnight,
group activity area, and a boat-water activity area at Dinah's
Landing. The road and trail system will serve to tie these areas
together and provide access to the Park's features.
A new entrance road from S.R. 1334 will provide easier
access into the Park and tie into the existing road system. The
plan is designed to utilize the existing road layout with the ex-
ception of minor realignments to accommodate new parking
areas.
A visitor entering the Park would first come to the park office,
which would provide all administrative service, visitor informa-
tion, and distribution of camping permits. The park mainten-
ance area would be located in close proximity to the office for
efficient administration.
The Nature Interpretive Center is located at the intersection
of the main park road and the road leading to the camping
area. It is intended to be a focal point of the park, where infor-
mation about the Park's natural resources will be made avail-
able and from which guided hikes or lectures will most likely
emanate.
Smaller interpretive facilities, called shelters, will be located
along the trails and several places in the Park which are im-
portant to the interpretive program. The intent of these shelters
is to provide hikers with information concerning the immediate
surroundings — plant communities along the trail, animals that
might be seen in the area, and so forth.
Quite a large area bordering the Pamlico River, extending
from Flatty's Creek to Ragged Point, was identified early in the
analysis as an area which qualifies for inclusion in the State
Natural Areas program. It is proposed that this area, about 375
acres, be designated as such and managed accordingly. The
only development to occur within this area would be hiking
trails and related interpretive shelters. The large open clearcut
areas in the Park, covering some 228 acres, will be managed
for extensive forest restoration and improvement of game habi-
tat.
Continuing down the main park road from the Interpretive
Center, the visitor will arrive at the family day use area.
Parking areas will be provided along the existing road allowing
visitors a short walk to picnic areas. It is proposed that about
700 feet along the river shore, extending from the existing day
use area towards Ragged Point, be established as a public
35
LnJ H
king Trails
Management Area
master plan
r wl>— -
STATE PARK beaulort county, n. c.
36
MASTER PLAN SYMBOLS KEY
PARK OFFICE
RANGER
RESIDENCE
MAINTENANCE
AREA
INTERPRETIVE
CENTER
INTERPRETIVE
SHELTER
PARKING
FAMILY
PICNICKING
SWIMMING
!XM GROUP PICNICKING
BOAT RAMP
BOATING
TENT AND
TRAILER CAMPING
FAMILY TENT
CAMPING
FAMILY WILDERNESS
CAMPING
GROUP TENT
CAMPING
BOAT DOCK
swimming beach. The beach would be accessible from the pic-
nic areas along a boardwalk type trail.
Turning west at the park road intersection (near the Inter-
pretive Center), visitors will come to the group activity area. In-
tended for use exclusively by organized groups such as 4-H
Club, church classes, and business outings, the group area will
provide facilities for day camp use, picnicking, and tent camp-
ing. The group picnic areas are intended for larger, organized
groups and will include two 1500 square foot shelters. The tent
camping area will consist of two fifty-person camping areas
and will be accessible from a nearby parking area. A 250 foot
beach on Goose Creek will be established for the exclusive use
of the group users.
Overnight camping facilities for families will be provided at
four locations in the Park. Immediately west of the group acti-
vity area, at the end of the access road, a parking area will be
established for campers to walk a short distance to a tent cam-
ping area consisting of twenty-four campsites. Similarly, a tent
camping area is proposed for use by people seeking a wilder-
ness situation on a site overlooking the east and west branch of
Goose Creek.
A family tent and trailer camping area consisting of 40 camp-
sites and a central washhouse will be located south of the park
office, accessible from the main park road. Here, campers will
be able to drive to their campsites. A tent and trailer camp-
ground will also be established adjacent to Dinah's Landing for
use by boaters and fishermen.
Dinah's Landing is the site for expansion of boating and
water related facilities. Two boat launch ramps will be provided
and a boathouse built which will house rental canoes and row-
boats. Additionally, a small dock for temporary mooring will be
provided. A picnic area related to the boating facilities will be
expanded to about one acre in size.
The Master Plan for Goose Creek State Park is intended as
an optimum balance between recreational development and
natural preservation. It represents a proposal for maximum
development which, in its final form, could serve about 3600
people on a peak-use summer day.
37
INTERPRETIVE DEVELOPMENT
The vegetational and faunal diversity of the Goose Creek
area is of such magnitude that an excellent opportunity exists
for creating an interpretive program that is very wide in its
scope. The ecology of the area is quite diverse as a result of the
great number of interacting natural factors, including brackish
water, very slight topographic relief, moderate climate with high
humidity, periodic brush fires, and, of course, man. Exposure
to these various factors at different levels of influence and
periods of time has created a large number of distinct plant
communities, with a resulting diversity of wildlife.
The interpretive program for the Park will be large and well-
developed in order to effectively protray the wide range of in-
formation available. The Nature Interpretive Center will be one
of the most important park facilities, having about 2,000 square
feet of space providing a museum/display area, laboratories
and work spaces, and an amphitheatre. Also included will be
basic information about the natural features of the park and
maps, pamphlets and additional explanatory material about the
overall depth of the interpretive program, such as schedules
and topics for the various guided and non-guided trail hikes,
information about specific points of interest, and trail direc-
tions.
Over nine miles of hiking and interpretive trails will be pro-
vided in the Park, covering all of the different vegetation com-
munities and linking them together in a fashion reflecting the
wilderness character of the Park. At four locations along these
trails, interpretive shelters will be provided for the use of the
hikers. These shelters will contain a small display space,
seating, and probably first aid and fire-fighting equipment. The
displays will be tailored to explain the interpretive features pre-
sent within the immediate vicinity of the shelter, and each
shelter will have its own specialized information package.
Where the shelters are closely related to the water, other
recreation uses will be allowed. For example, at those shelters
accessible by boardwalk, fishing from the walkway will be
allowed.
The interpretive trails will be developed on a loop system,
always returning within fairly close proximity of the Interpretive
Center. A short Vfc mile loop trail which travels briefly through
the vegetation communities close to the Interpretive Center will
be the first increment in the trail system. Other trails, of varying
length and subject matter, will branch out from this point.
These trails will lead to the interest areas identified earlier, at
which points the interpretive shelters will be located. It is the
desire of the Master Plan to provide interpretive facilities to the
park user which will allow the user to match the amount of time
he is willing to spend with the type of information he desires to
experience. It is hoped that, by allowing this freedom while con-
trolling access to the fragile vegetation communities, the inter-
pretive program will provide the necessary education of the
natural features in the Park to generate a public desire for pro-
tection of those features.
38
39
Park
Entrance
SITE PLANS
Park Office and Maintenance Area
The Park Office will be the first facility that the park visitor will
find on his entrance to the Park. It will be the main visitor infor-
mation point, while also handling assignment and distribution
of camping permits and reservation requests, and providing
administrative services. A parking lot will be provided for 15
visitors and 4 buses, while 6 staff spaces will be separated from
the visitors lot.
The timber has been cut in the area around the location of
the park office, and the land has been re-seeded. This piece of
land will be one of the designated parcels for forest restoration.
The woodland edges around the park office and its parking
area, the barracks, and the entrance road will be controlled to
provide a varied visual experience to the park user. These
edges will be strictly regulated to reduce the monotony of
straight woods boundaries and to enhance the park atmos-
phere both away and close to the facilities themselves.
For ease of coordination, the office functions will be com-
bined with the indoor maintenance functions. The maintenance
facilities will include a workshop, garage, paint shed and dump-
ster along with a fuel pump and a paved workyard. Access to
the maintenance yard will be by a road removed from the visi-
tor parking lot and curving around to the rear of the
office/maintenance building. This road passes by the park bar-
racks building, which will provide rooms for some of the sum-
mer work force. Eight parking spaces will be provided at the
barracks for use by the staff.
Residences
Three residences will be provided close to the park entrance,
one will be in the existing Hawkins house, and the other two will
be new buildings. All three residences will be served by one
driveway off of S.R. 1334, and will be on the high land charac-
terized by the mature pine vegetation community. The resi-
dences were located in this area for ease of access, proximity
to each other for protection purposes, and closeness to the
main park entrance for protection and control.
Family Tent and Trailer Camping Area
A tent and trailer campground will be located further along
the road from the park office, and will provide about 40
campsites in conjunction with a washhouse. These campsites
will be pull-off type for camping trailer use. Each campsite will
have a picnic table and grill, a 12' x 15' tent pad, a 50' pull-off
for trailers, and water sources close to the campsites. The indi-
vidual sites are placed approximately 100 feet apart along the
road; the loop itself is buffered from the park road noise by
over 200 feet of forest, and on the opposite side is no closer
than 500 feet to Goose Creek. The campground will serve
approximately 140 people, and will occupy about 10 acres of
land.
Family Wilderness Camping
The wilderness camping area will require about a one mile
hike along the hiking/interpretive trails for access. This hike is
necessary in order to further the "wilderness" quality of the
camping experience. Eight campsites will be developed on the
piece of land between the two branches of Goose Creek, close
to the northern border of the Park. The campsites will be
separated from each other by a natural wooded buffer of at
least 200 feet. The cluster of sites will be off of the hiking/inter-
pretive trail for privacy and some element of protection, and will
be provided with a centralized water supply and toilet facilities.
41
interpretive/^
Interpretive Center
The Interpretive Center, close to the intersection of the main
park road and the road leading to the tent camping area, will be
the main facility for explaining both the cultural and natural
histories of the Park, with an emphasis on the ecological
systems at work there. The visitor will be able to decide for him-
self how much time he has available for exploration of the
Park's features, and then follow the available programs which
suit his needs.
The Interpretive Center is located close to the main park
road and almost in the center of the Park because it will be one
of the main focal points in the Park. Through it, and its related
facilities, the natural character of the land and ecological
systems will be portrayed. The building, its location, and the
trail system linked to it, will comprise an integrated program
designed specifically to acquaint the park visitor with the varied
features which are typical of this Park.
As in the case of the park office, the Interpretive Center is
located in one of the parts of the Park that have been cleared of
timber. Therefore, the forest restoration program will be imple-
mented on the tract. This gives the opportunity to control the
visual aspects of the vegetation around the facility, providing a
pleasant visual orientation from the road, and buffering or
shielding elements which might not be visually desirable. The
parking area, which will provide 100 visitor spaces and 8 bus
spaces, will be shielded from the main park road by this vege-
tation, while open or cleared spaces will still allow views of the
Interpretive Center.
Group Activity Area
The group activity areas are located off the road leading to
the tent camping area, and will include facilities for group pic-
nicking, swimming, open space gaming, and tent camping. The
group picnic area will include tables for two 60 person groups,
and shelters and tables for two 150 person groups. Located in
close proximity to the picnic facilities will be approximately 8
acres of smaller separated open spaces for use by the groups
for games, meetings, and so forth. Tables, grills, and water
sources will be placed around the sites so that they will be
convenient, yet provide as much privacy as possible for the in-
dividual groups. Parking will be available for 150 visitors and 10
buses. These parking facilities will be spaced apart to reduce
their impacts.
For those groups which desire to swim in addition to their
land-based activities, a length of shoreline along Goose Creek
will be set aside for their use. This swimming area will only be
open to those groups who can provide their own registered life-
guards while the swimming is in progress.
To accomodate those groups which will be staying over-
night, two group tent camping areas will be available. Access to
these campgrounds will be by continuing along the spur road
serving the group activity area to the parking lot at the end of
the road. Here, thirty visitor spaces and 4 bus spaces will be
developed. Each group tent camp will have 1 2 or 1 3 tent sites in
fairly close proximity to a circle for cooking and assembling;
water and toilet facilities will also be nearby. Each camp will
also be located around an open space of approximately 1 acre,
but the two camps will be separated from each other for
privacy.
43
\ ^ ^
Family Day Use Area
The scope and extent of the design plan for the Family Day
Use Area was based largely on the availability and carrying ca-
pacity of the proposed swimming beach. Although swimming
will certainly be a very popular park activity, it will, by necessity,
be limited in size and usability. While the river bottom in this
area is very good for bathing, it is quite shallow — suitable for
wading and swimming but not diving. Additionally, available
"beach" is limited to two pockets of land along the shore being
suitable for beach construction but having a maximum width of
about 80 feet. Also important to the design was the need to in-
sure the protection of the shoreline area from overuse.
The design for the swimming area indicates the develop-
ment of 700 linear feet of beach intended to serve a maximum
of 560 people per day. The first beach area (the existing day
use area) will be accessible from the existing trail which pre-
sently leads visitors from the road to the shore. The second
beach area, lying about 200 feet west, will be accessible by a
boardwalk constructed behind the shoreline ridge system. A
single bathhouse changing room will be built on pilings deve-
loped in conjunction with the boardwalk. It is proposed that the
bathhouse be a small facility providing only shelter, showers,
and toilets and with no or limited storage facilities. Addition-
ally, it is suggested that there be no fee for swimming or use of
the changing facilities and that no full-time personnel be re-
quired with the exception of lifeguards. Vending machines can
be provided at the bathhouse.
The size of the swimming beach determined the scope of
family picnic facilities and parking which will serve both pic-
nicking and swimming areas. The parking lots are located at
the edge of existing forest in the clearcut areas. The horizontal
alignment of the park road has been altered slightly to provide
variation to a visitor's approach to the area and allow the deve-
lopment of parking on the south side of the road without en-
croaching on forested areas. The parking areas are deliber-
ately broken into four lots to reduce their overall impact. The
family picnic area is proposed to contain two main access
areas separated by a 400 foot buffer. The first area is com-
posed of (2) four and a half acre picnic areas served by a single
comfort station along the trail dividing the two areas. A one acre
open space for casual sports is proposed to be opened in what
is presently mature pine forest. A total of sixty picnic units
(tabel and grill) will be provided in the entire area.
The second picnic area is larger containing (2) nine acre
areas divided by the existing trail but each having its own com-
fort station. A two acre open space is proposed between the
parking lots in an existing clearcut area. This picnic area will
provide a total of eighty picnic units. The areas designated for
picnicking are considered to be maximum in their extent,
based on limitations imposed by the swimming area.
Access trails which lead from the parking areas through the
picnic areas to the swimming beach are linked to the main trail
system which will lead hikers to other areas of interest in the
park. Additionally, it is proposed that an interpretive shelter be
provided on the east side of Ragged Point on the boardwalk
and that a Vi mile loop trail along the shore and marshes
emanate from this point.
45
boat
dock
interpretive
shelter
Pamlico River
site plan 4
r
0 200 400
46
STATE PARK beaulort county, n. c.
Family Tent Camping Area
At the end of the existing spur road where six tent camping
sites are presently located, an expanded family tent camping
area will be located. Due to the high quality of the site which
could be undermined given more extensive vehicular access, it
was determined the walk-in type of tent camping would be
most appropriate.
A parking area accommodating twenty-five cars and two
buses will be located at the end of the spur road. Campers will
be required to hike 2100 feet to the furthest campsite.
Given the isolation of the general area suitable for develop-
ment, the main agent controlling the site layout is the existing
trail leading from the present road terminus to Goose Creek.
Additionally, two privies have been built adjacent to the existing
trail.
Eighteen sites will be established along the existing trail with
the remaining six campsites accessible from a new trail spur. A
third privy will be required for the completed camping area.
The existing trail will extend beyond the camping area to the
Goose Creek shore where a small boat dock will be located.
Boat-in campers will use the dock as well as park staff who may
utilize boats for patrol and maintenance purposes on the oppo-
site shore.
An interpretive shelter will be located on the shoreline near
the mouth of Flatty's Creek. This shelter is intended for the dis-
persal of information concerning ecological conditions at the
water's edge and the ecosystems encompassed by the Vt mile
loop trail. These include marsh, shrub thicket, cypress swamp,
and the mature pine association which includes Spanish moss.
Of particular interest are the numerous hummocks scattered
throughout the marshlands where both swamp and upland
species are found.
The main hiking trail leading west from the Family Day Use
Area through the State Natural Area is linked to the parking lot
which serves the Family Tent Camping Area and the interpre-
tive loop trail.
47
STATE PARK beaufort county, n. c.
Dinah's Landing
The design plan for the Dinah's Landing area includes the
expansion of existing boating and picnicking facilities and the
development of a tent and trailer campground. The main con-
straints on the site layout, after the delineation of usable land,
are the limited lands within park ownership and the existing use
of the landing. Of primary importance is securing control of
access into the area for the protection of park facilities and the
safety of overnight visitors.
Due to the ownership limitations in the area, additional land
will be acquired south of Dinah's Landing in order that the cam-
ping area can be provided. The new acquisition will include
about thirty acres east of Weyerhaeuser's existing access road
but not include the road itself so that no access conflicts will oc-
cur over the use of the road. In the development of the tent and
trailer camping area, a new loop road will be built off the ex-
isting road leading to the landing. This road will be approxi-
mately 2650 feet in length, two-way, and will cross about 500
feet of wetland including two small creeks.
The access road into Dinah's Landing will be realigned in or-
der that a parking area for fifty car/trailer combinations can be
developed. It is intended that boaters will drive directly to the
boat ramp, launch and moor their boats, and return to the park-
ing area with car and trailer. Visitors using the boat rental faci-
lities or picnic area will park in the regular parking lot behind
the boathouse. The main access road will be paved the entire
length from where current state road maintenance ends, about
a mile and a half.
Presently, normal State Park hours are not enforced at
Dinah's Landing as it has been a traditional fishing access
where usage occurs from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm during peak
seasons. While it would be undesirable to restrict its use to
hours inappropriate to fishermen, greater control over the area
will be necessary as the planning proposals are implemented. It
is suggested that park hours be varied at Dinah's Landing in
keeping with the fishing seasons. A gate should be erected on
the main access road at the park boundary in order that cam-
pers may have free use of the facilities at the landing.
The campground construction, in particular, should be
monitered closely and measures taken to stem siltation where
the drainage ways join the more prominent tributary of Goose
Creek.
The campground will be intended for use primarily by
boating and fishing enthusiasts. Consisting of thirty sites, the
campground is laid out in a loop with a central washhouse.
Each campsite will have a radius of 100 feet. A dump station is
located on the access road for use by campers when leaving
the area.
Boating facilities will be expanded at Dinah's Landing to
accommodate an additional boat launch ramp, short-term
mooring, and a boat house for permanent storage. A conces-
sion for boat rentals will be operated from the boathouse, mak-
ing available ten canoes and ten rowboats for visitor use. The
existing launch ramp will be upgraded and widened to allow
dual usage. A pier, maximum sixty feet in length, will be built in
order that boaters may moor their boats temporarily while pic-
nicking or as they retrieve their car/trailers when taking out.
Ten picnic units will be provided in one acre about 100 yards
north of the proposed boathouse.
49
Developed
Acreage
2 acres
2 acres
3 acres
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Park Office
Information, administration, permits
Parking 1 5 visitor 4 car/trailer/bus
Maintenance Area
Workshop, garage, fuel, workyard
Barracks
Parking 8 staff
Interpretive Center
Display, museum
Laboratories, workshops, offices
Building — 2000 sqft.+
Amphitheatre
Parking 100 visitor 8 bus 5 staff
Tent and Trailer Camping (Main Park)
1 loop 40 campsites 1 0 acres
1 washhouse
Forest Restoration Areas
Program for establishment of
long-leaf pine, loblolly pine
Enhancement of wildlife 228 acres
State Natural Area
Preservation and interpretive uses 375 acres
People
Per Day
Parking
15-4
300
140
105-8
Developed People Parking
Acreage Per Day
Group Activity Area
Group Picnic Area
(2) 60 person areas 1 acre 2 acres
16 tables/acre
15 tables/group
open space 1 acre 2 acres
parking 25 visitor 2 bus
(2) 150 person areas 3 acres 6 acres
shelter 30' x 50'
1500 sq.ft.
open space 2 acres 4 acres
parking 50 visitor 3 bus
Swimming Beach
250 linear feet
Lifeguards provided by groups
Group Tent Camping Area
(2) 50 person group
4 people/site 8 sites/acre
2 acres/group 4 acres
25 sites
open space 1 acre 2 acres
parking 15 visitor 2 bus
120
300
50-4
100-6
30-4
Tent Camping Area
4 people/site 1 site/acre
24 sites total
dock and mooring for 5 boats
parking 25 visitor 2 bus
24 acres
96
25-2
50
Developed People Parking
Acreage Per Day
Family Day Use Area
Family Picnicking
Vz of picnickers are swimmers
560 picnickers @ 2 turnovers 1 120/day
4 people/table 6 tables/acre
140 tables
open space 3 acres
parking 1 space/table
Swimming Beach
700 linear feet 4 people/10 linear
feet 2 turnovers
developed beach 1 acre
(1) bathhouse
Boat/Water Activities Area (Dinah's Landing)
Picnicking
4 people/table 10 tables/acre 1 acre 40 10
Boating Facilities
2 launch ramps
Dock 60 feet long
Parking 50 car & trailer spaces 2 acres 1 50 50 c&t
Boat Rental Concession
Boathouse
10 canoes, 10rowboats
Parking 20 visitor 2 staff 40 22
Developed
Acreage
Tent and Trailer Camping (Dinah's Landing)
1 loop 30 campsites
1 washhouse 8 acres
Wilderness Camping Area
8 sites 4 people/site
8 acres
People
Per Day
100
Parking
24 acres
1 site/acre
3 acres
140-6
Interpretive Trails
49,000 linear feet 9.3 miles
280
(4) interpretive shelters
560 swim day
Roads
1 acre
riding)
new construction
paving existing roadbeds
Optimum day/overnight users
32
13,760 linear feet 2.6 miles
1 3,400 linear feet 2.5 miles
approximately 3300/peak
use day
Use areas total acreage: 1 08
51
v. m>
«V"»
w.
• w
MANAGEMENT PLAN
SERVICES TO PARK USERS
Programs which have been established and are currently
practiced in other state parks, particularly those for visitor pro-
tection and law enforcement, must be emphasized at Goose
Creek State Park. The legal authority vested in park personnel
stands as an effective means of controlling misuse of the park
and unwanted encroachment upon its land.
The patrol of the park by personnel should be conducted
systematically to include not only designated use areas and
roads, but also the various hiking trails. Park boundaries
should be kept well-marked and patrolled regularly to guard
against encroachment, the development of new trails, unwan-
ted uses, and so forth. The mobile units used for this patrolling
should be radio equipped, as should the park office. A good
working relationship with local law enforcement agencies
should be actively pursued.
A fire control plan should be developed with the assistance
of the North Carolina Forest Service. This plan should utilize
existing roads, paths, trails and easements which are available
to establish a unified fire fighting system. Fire-fighting equip-
ment should be stored at critical points around the park so that
it will be readily accessible to both park staff and visitors in an
emergency.
A well-designed and up-to-date information service for park
visitors is essential. Visitors should be well-oriented to the loca-
tion of park facilities, trails, features and the programs which
are available. In addition, through the design and location of
information facilities, visitors should be acquainted with park
regulations and philosophy.
Facilities providing the visitor with an orientation to the park
plan and information services will be provided both in the park
office and at the Interpretive Center, with supplementary infor-
mation being available at the various use areas. Trail booklets
will be available showing the hiking and interpretive trails.
These booklets and pamphlets should stress the delicate
qualities of the various plants found along the trails, and should
point out that collecting or molesting any of the flora and fauna
in the park is strictly prohibited.
PARK CHARACTER
The isolated and serene quality characteristic of the Goose
Creek landscape is basic to the nature of the Park and must be
maintained. Perhaps more important than visual conditions in
the Park is the possible impact that extraneous noise could
have. The flat topography and extensive waterways are con-
ducive to magnifying and carrying noises where they might
otherwise be contained by topographic change. It may be found
that with the implementation of the proposed development noise
levels do indeed encroach the "quiet zones" of the Park. This be-
ing the case, the building program must be limited in the interest
of the desired park character.
Visually, it is important that physical development such as
buildings be harmonious in scale with their surroundings. In-
asmuch as there is so little topographic variation across the site,
it is likely that buildings taller than one-story will be undesirable.
Architectural simplicity should be an objective in the appear-
ance of new buildings in the park.
53
PHASING
Interim Facilities
Land Acquisition — 1208.60 acres (no new acquisition)
1. Park Control
office (temporary)
gate on entrance road
2. Maintenance Area (temporary)
3. Day Use Area
picnicking
swimming
4. Tent Camping Area
6 sites with table, grill, trashcan
2 privies
5. Boat/Water Activities Area (Dinah's Landing)
Phase I
Land Acquisition — 153.21 acres Priority I
1. Park Office and Maintenance Area (permanent)
2. Pave main park roads
3. Designate State Natural Area
4. Begin development of Interpretive Center (1000 sq.
facility)
5. Establish interpretive trails and (3) shelters
6. Forest Restoration Areas on park property
7. Family Day Use Area
40 picnic tables and parking
swimming beach (400 ft.)
bathhouse
boardwalk construction (800 ft.)
6. Tent Camping Area
24 sites
3 privies total
7. Group Picnic Area
(2) 60 person groups
8. Group Tent Camping Area
(1) 50 person group
9. Tent and Trailer Camping (Main Park)
camping loop 20 sites developed
washhouse
pave camping loop
10. Boat/Water Activity Area (Dinah's Landing)
upgrade existing boat launch ramp
replace existing docking facilities
ft.
54
Phase II
Land Acquisition — 290.83 acres Priority II
1. Forest Restoration Areas completed
2. Interpretive Center completion (2000 sq. ft. approx.)
amphitheatre
complete interpretive trails and shelters (4 total)
3. Family Day Use Area
40 additional picnic tables and parking
swimming beach expanded to 700 feet
4. Wilderness Camping Area
8 sites
5. Tent Camping Area
boat dock (5 boats)
6. Group Picnic Area
(1) 150 person shelter and tables
7. Group Tent Camping Area
(1) additional 50 person group (2 total)
8. Tent and Trailer Camping (Main Park)
20 additional sites (40 total)
9. Boat/Water Activity Area (Dinah's Landing)
pave access road and parking
(1) additional boat launch ramp (2 total)
boat/canoe rental concession building
Phase III
Land Acquisition — 30 acres Priority III
1. Family Day Use Area
60 additional picnic tables and parking (as needed)
2. Tent and Trailer Camping (Dinah's Landing)
camping loop 30 sites
washhouse
pave access road and loop
3. Group Picnic Area
(1) additional 150 person shelter and tables
PERSONNEL STAFFING
PHASE I
Permanent Park Superintendent
Park Ranger
Seasonal Park Attendant (6 month)
Typist Clerk I
Chief Lifeguard
Lifeguards
Bathhouse Manager
Park Naturalist
Labor Support (as needed)
PHASE II
Permanent
Seasonal
PHASE II
Naturalist
Park Ranger II
Typist Clerk II
Maintenance Mechanic II
General Utility Man
Park Attendant (3 month)
2 Lifeguards
Bathhouse Operator
Concession Manager
2 Concession Clerks
2 Dock Attendants
Labor Support (as needed)
Labor Support (as needed)
55
STATE NATURAL AREA
As part of the Naturalist's report to the Master Planning Unit,
it was suggested that the area extending from Ragged Point to
the mouth of Goose Creek, and inland to the periphery roads,
should be designated a State Natural Area. Encompassing
about 375 acres, the area includes the single largest natural
area of high quality in the Park. The area contains a variety of
habitats and includes the marshlands of Flatty's Creek and a
sizeable section of one of the best stands of mature Loblolly
Pine.
The "State Natural Area" designation is an official title of the
Division of Parks and Recreation given areas included in the
Natural Area System. The purpose of the North Carolina State
Parks Natural Areas System is to:
1. Preserve and protect natural areas of scientific, aesthe-
tic, or geologic value not only for the knowledge and
inspiration of the present generation; but, also for
generations to come.
2. Portray and interpret plant and animal life, geology, and
all other natural features and processes in the various
Natural Areas.
The basic principle underlying the management of Natural
Areas is that of preservation with any maintenance or improve-
ments performed aimed at insuring the protection of the area.
No agricultural operations of any kind are permitted in State
Natural Areas; no buildings will be constructed except those re-
quired for protection, maintenance, and interpretation; no
roads will be built except those necessary for protection and
maintenance. Hiking and interpretive trails and their related
development such as interpretive shelters or observation plat-
forms are the only types of improvements in Natural Areas
directly intended for visitor use.
The procedure for establishing Natural Areas involves, first, a
proposal from the Division of Parks and Recreation to the
Natural Areas Advisory Commission. The Advisory Commis-
sion, having no statuatory power itself, will make a recommen-
dation — either positively or negatively — with respect to the
Division's proposal. Given the approval of the Advisory Com-
mission, the recommendation is forwarded to the Secretary of
the Department of Natural and Economic Resources for official
designation.
FOREST RESTORATION AREA
A detailed resource management plan will be developed for
Goose Creek State Park following the adoption of the Master
Plan. Of particular importance is the need to improve the habi-
tat of the red-cockaded woodpecker. A nest-tree count, carried
out in October, 1975, resulted in the identification of twenty
cavity trees in the Park, in three primary areas. The tree count,
however, was only preliminary and did not cover some areas on
the site which are likely habitats for the red-cockaded. It is anti-
cipated, therefore, that a larger population exists than that deter-
mined by the first count.
All of the sites having cavity trees occupy upland, mature pine
forest situations or edges and are in a poor condition for the
maintenance of the woodpecker habitat. The poor site condi-
tions are a result of several factors including the proliferation
and damage of southern pine beetle, and the fact that under-
story vegetation is being allowed to develop around the cavity
tree. Also, potential cavity trees are being overtaken by the
hardwood understory.
The habitat of the red-cockaded woodpecker consists of
mature pine forest with a minimum of dense understory. The
56
presence of humans is not necessarily detrimental to the quality
of the habitat. General recommendations for the improvement of
the woodpecker habitat includes the clearing of understory
vegetation within a 50' radius of each existing cavity tree and
prescribed burns over general management areas for the first
two or three years. Following the initial burn sequence, con-
trolled burns should occur periodically, every two or three years.
A majority of the clearcut land in the Park's interior will be
managed for reforestation. It has been suggested that longleaf
pine species be utilized in upland situations of the Forest Restor-
ation Area. Due to the fact that the longleaf is better suited to the
sandy soil conditions of the upland situations than the loblolly
species, it is projected that a mature longleaf pine stand will
provide a more permanent and pest resistant forest. A primary
objective is to manage the forest restoration for ultimate red-
cockaded woodpecker habitat. Obviously, an important part of
the resource management plan will be the development of a
detailed program for the Forest Restoration Area. While the
longleaf pine species will represent the dominant forest type, it is
also important that the area become a useful component of the
interpretive program. Some areas should be maintained or
rotated to demonstrate successional stages of forest develop-
ment. Additionally, reforestation which occurs along the park
roads should have a varied edge so as to reduce the monotany
of a continuous belt of homogeneous trees.
57
UTILITIES
Water and sewer service to facilities in the main park area will
be provided by separate systems for each of the main use areas.
The Park Office and Maintenance Area, Tent and Trailer Camp-
ing Area, Interpretive Center, Group Picnicking Area, and Family
Picnicking Area will all be served by separate subsurface dis-
posal systems. Also, each will obtain their water supply from
individual underground wells. The relationship between the
location of comfort stations and open space in both group and
family picnic areas is such that designated open spaces can be
utilized for septic tank fields so that no additional forest clearing
is necessary.
Sewage disposal for the bathhouse at the public swimming
beach will necessitate pumping to soils suitable for nitrification.
Several alternative methods exist for handling sewerage in the
Family Day Use Area depending on detailed cost-benefit studies
which will be carried out at a later date. It may prove desirable to
develop a package sewer disposal system for the area linking
the comfort stations and bathhouse to a central septic tank/nitri-
fication field, rather than develop separate septic systems for
each picnic area. In any case, it is undesirable that new open
spaces be created in addition to those designated in the plan. As
regards pumping across marshy areas, pipes can be run in con-
junction with the boardwalks. Locating the pipes on the bottom
side of the walkways will alleviate any visual intrusion.
In the Tent Camping Area, three individual pit privies will be
provided (two are existing) and water will be supplied by hand
pumps utilizing the ground water supply. Similarly, sewage dis-
posal for the Wilderness Camping Area will be by pit privy and
water supply, if any, by a hand pump. The Tent and Trailer Cam-
ping Area and boathouse at Dinah's Landing will require
separate septic systems and drilled wells for water supply.
Carolina Power and Light Company has provided above-
ground lines for the temporary park office. It is recommended
that the permanent electrical distribution system for the whole of
the park be a complete underground installation. All trans-
formers and switching facilities should be contained in low-
profile enclosures, mounted above ground for easy access and
maintenance. Underground cable connections, terminations or
taps should be done in manholes.
58
LAND ACQUISITION
The land currently in the ownership of the State, 1,208.60
acres, includes most of the area where park facilities will be
developed according the Master plan. Where this is not the
case and, otherwise, for the purpose of park protection and
control and additional 474.04 acres is proposed for acquisition
over three phases. The total acrage proposed for Goose Creek
State Park is 1,682.64 acres.
First in priority for acquisition is the property between the
current park boundary and the access road, s.r. 1333. This area
includes 153.21 acres and is presently held by three private ow-
ners. As this property was earmarked for acquisition prior to
the master plan study beginning, the Division of Parks and
Recreation has already officially requested that appraisals of
the three properties be initiated by the Real Property Section,
N.C. Department of Administration. Acquisition of this land will
enable the construction of a permanent park entrance and im-
proved control over the main park area as a whole.
Second priority for land acquisition is 290.83 acres currently
owned by the Weyerhaeuser Company. This land includes
primarily wetlands adjacent to the present boundary on the
northeast side of the Park. Of primary importance to the insured
protection of Mallard Creek, the additional land will also enable
the interpretive program to extend into the marshes and shore-
line of the creek.
The acquisition of 30.00 acres immediately south of Dinah's
Landing is third priority. This land, also in the ownership of
Weyerhaeuser Company, is necessary for the development of
the tent and trailer camping area relating to the Landing.
59
tegctffld
Priority I
Priority II
Priority III
acquisition plan
i ©Games
STATE PARK baaufort county, n. e
60
APPENDIX "A"
Soils Matrix
Buildings with
Soil Name
Septic Tanks
Roads and Streets
Campsites
Picnic Areas
Capers soils
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
(Marshland)
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Conetoe loamy sand
Slight
Moderate-
Moderate-
Moderate-
too sandy, low
too sandy,
too sandy,
traffic supporting
susceptible to
susceptible to
capacity
soil blowing
soil blowing
Pactolus loamy sand
Moderate-
Moderate-
Moderate-
Moderate-
seasonal high
too sandy, low
too sandy;
too sandy;
water table
traffic supporting
seasonal high
seasonal high
capacity
water table
water table
Tarboro loamy sand
Sight*
Moderate-
Moderate-
Moderate-
too sandy, low
too sandy,
too sandy,
traffic supporting
susceptible to
susceptible to
capacity
soil blowing
soil blowing
Johnson
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
mucky loam
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Flooding; Wetness
Rutlege loamy sand
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
Severe-
Flooding;
Flooding;
Flooding;
Flooding;
seasonal high
seasonal high
seasonal high
seasonal high
water table
water table
water table
water table
'Low filtering action; nearby water supply may be contaminated.
61
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Burney, David A.; A Preliminary Interpretive Prospectus of the Goose
Creek State Park Area of Beaufort County, North Carolina; North Carolina
Division of Parks and Recreation; September, 1975.
2. Carter, J. H.; meeting (October 31, 1975); Preliminary Data on Red-
Cockaded Woodpeckers from Goose Creek State Park; North Carolina
Division of Parks and Recreation; October, 1975.
3. Critcher, Stuart; Saving the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, An Endangered
Species; Wildlife in North Carolina; North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission; Vol. XXXIX No. 11; November, 1975.
4. Eakes, Alan R.; A Detailed Report on Field Investigation of Upper Goose
Creek; North Carolina Division of State Parks; February, 1971.
5. North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Division of
Mineral Resources; Description of the Pungo River Formation in Beaufort
County, North Carolina; Bulletin Number 79, prepared cooperatively by the
Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior; 1959.
6. North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Division of
Mineral Resources; Geology and Ground Water Resources in the Green-
ville Area, North Carolina; Bulletin Number 73, prepared cooperatively by
the Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior; 1959.
7. North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Division of
State Parks; Principles Governing the Establishment, Extension, and
Development of the State Park System of the State of North Carolina;
August, 1965.
8. North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, Division of
State Parks; Principles Governing the Establishment, Extension, and
Development of State Natural Areas; April, 1963.
9. North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, North
Carolina Recreation Commission; A Method for Determining the Annual
Carrying Capacity of Selected Types of Outdoor Recreation and Facilities
in North Carolina; December, 1972.
10. North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Division
of Resource Planning and Evaluation; Outdoor Recreation Plan Summary;
1974.
11. North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Division
of Resource Planning and Evaluation; State Park Analysis Program
Printout; 1975.
12. North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Office of
Water and Air Resources; Rules, Regulations, Classifications and Water
Quality Standards Applicable to the Surface Waters of North Carolina;
Board of Water and Air Resources.
13. North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Office of
Water and Air Resources; Water Quality Management Plan, Tar-Pamlico
River Basin, Sub-basin 07; Board of Water and Air Resources.
14. North Carolina State University at Raleigh; Weather and Climate in North
Carolina; Bulletin 396 (Revised); Agricultural Experiment Station; October,
1971.
15. North Carolina Department of Transportation and Highway Safety, Division
of Highways, Planning and Research Branch; Annual Daily Traffic
Volumes, Beaufort County; 1974.
16. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Appendices to the Survey
and Classification of the Pamlico River and Tributaries, North Carolina;
1965.
17. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Survey and Classification
of the Pamlico River and Tributaries, North Carolina; Division of Inland
Fisheries; 1965.
18. Rulison, Michael V. E.; Technical Report AN-398; Planning for State Parks
and Forests in North Carolina; December, 1968.
19. Southern Albemarle Association; Resolution; adopted at Washington,
North Carolina; October 18, 1972.
20. United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation; Out-
door Recreation Space Standards; April, 1967.
21. United States Department of Commerce; Bureau of the Census; U.S.
Census of Population; 1970.
22. United States Department of Commerce, Weather Bureau; Climatological
Summary, Greenville, North Carolina; prepared cooperatively with the
Greenville Chamber of Commerce; 1930-1959.
23. United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service; Climatological
Data, Annual Summary 1973; Volume 78, November 13, 1973.
62
CREDITS
Planning Team:
Bradley W. Davis, Landscape Architect
Stanley N. Williams, Landscape Designer I
Supervisors:
Alan R. Eakes, Chief of Planning
Frederick P. Hagenberger, Landscape Architect
Acknowledgements:
Ronald D. Johnson, Director
Thomas C. Ellis, Superintendent of State Parks
Thomas R. Wells, Regional Supervisor of
State Parks and Recreation
Lauris K. Joyner, Ranger II in-charge,
Goose Creek State Park
David A. Burney, Regional Naturalist,
Morrow Mountain State Park
Carolyn Van Hoy, Drafting Technician
Ellen J. Glover, Clerk-Typist (III)
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